Afternoon Ag

Join ag broadcaster Sonja Langseth, member of the NAFB, on Thursday afternoons from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for your "Afternoon Ag Segment" on AM 730 KWOA. Sonja talks about everything and anything ag-related, particularly focusing on current events and hot topics in the ag industry. She talks with a wide variety of professionals and knowledgeable experts in their respective fields, ranging as close as Worthington residents to as far as national voices, delivering the latest ag information "straight from the horse's mouth" to the KWOA listeners.

Afternoon Ag Segment Stories

Below is a listing of stories for the Afternoon Ag segment. Please click the story title to view the full story.

We all have something in common: we eat. But how much of our grocery selections stem from our (sometimes misconstrued) perceptions of what is healthy or not?

Today we catch up again with Wanda Patsche, a volunteer with Common Ground, to break down the GMO versus non-GMO issue. We've spoken multiple times with multiple guests on the GMO vs non-GMO issue, yet it appears the public did not get the message.

Join us today as we discuss GMO food safety, the benefits of GMOs and the future of GMOs in the grocery! It's all happening from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. here on AM 730 KWOA!

While agriculture on a whole is facing several issues, we turn to a more detailed focus on the hog industry.

For this afternoon ag segment, we catch up with Jay Moore, Director of Environmental Services of New Fashion Pork, and also an executive board member of the Minnesota Pork Producer's Association to discuss the overall goals of MPPA. How devastating could the effects of PED virus be to Midwest farms and the pork supply overall? How does the recent announcement via Smithfield and its move to phase out gestation stalls affect the the independent farmer? These questions and more will be explored with Jay.

Then we turn to a fantastic tool available to pork producers to stay up to date on the latest hog issues and industry topics: the National Hog Farmer Blueprint App! Tune in as we join Lora Berg, editor of National Hog Farmer, to discuss its development and how-to's. It's all happening this Thursday at 12:30 p.m.!

With winter and the new year upon us, it's the perfect opportunity to try out Ice Fishing on one of Minnesota's many lakes.

Today, we'll talk with the Radio Works Director of News and Information Justine Wettschreck discussing her latest adventures of ice fishing, as well as the basic information on how to try this great sport.

To the dismay of the animal agriculture world, on December 10th, Rolling Stone published a feature titled "Animal Cruelty is the Price We Pay for Cheap Meat" that went viral to over 3.3 million Rolling Stone followers, written by Paul Solotaroff. Videos and content were provided by Mercy for Animals, an animal rights group that has been causing media sensationalism across the United States and even more recently in Minnesota.

The unfortunate aspect of this is that the article is strewn with exactly that - twists on facts and misinformation which puts animal agriculture in a bad light. Many have spoken against the article, pointing out true facts and giving scientific information as opposed to working on the sensationalism side. One such fantastic article was written by Wanda Patsche of Minnesota Farm Living. Join us from 12:30 to 1 p.m. as we break down the truth and the lies of the Rolling Stone article.

The goal of Wanda Patsche and Minnesota Farm Living is to "give an accurate picture of today’s farms and rural Minnesota living by telling my story. With only 2% involved in farming, there is a huge disconnect between consumers and those that produce their food."

According to Patsche, "I want to do my part in bridging that gap. I love to talk about farming. Feel free to ask any type of question about farming or rural life."

On this Thursday's edition of your Afternoon Ag Segment, ag broadcaster Sonja Langseth will catch up with Dawn Caldwell, a farmer from Nebraska and volunteer with CommonGround.

An exciting tidbit is that Common Ground has landed a four-segment series with Lifetime TV's morning show "The Balancing Act."

Viewers will get the chance to learn from American farm women about:

-- Understanding Cost of Food in America with CommonGround (Airing Nov. 25 and Dec. 6) -- Mary Courtney, a Kentucky farmer and CommonGround volunteer, provides a way for moms looking for answers about food to connect with and get real, credible food information from moms who grow and raise it.

-- Recipes From American Farms To Your Kitchen (Airing Dec. 5 and 12) -- Ohio farmer Kristin Reese shows off her cooking skills while teaching viewers about family farms in America. Reese also shares her favorite holiday recipes. "I am often shocked that many people do not know 96 percent of the farms in America are family-owned and operated," said Reese. "It is wonderful to be able to share facts like these with the moms who tune into national television programs like the 'The Balancing Act.'"

-- Food Myths and GMOs (Airing Dec. 19 and 26) -- Iowa farmer Sara Ross leads the conversation about popular myths surrounding biotechnology, often referred to as GMOs. "We are thrilled to work with 'The Balancing Act' to create television that will really dig deeper into some of the hottest food topics," said Ross. "There is such a strong desire here to really delve into every aspect of American food, and, as farmers, we bring a unique perspective on issues like GMOs, organic food and the local food movement to an audience that is hungry to hear from women who share their experience and concerns, but also have first-hand knowledge on these subjects."

More than 400,000 women watch "The Balancing Act" every day, offering a perfect opportunity for CommonGround to share the truth about food with the women who buy it. CommonGround is a grass-roots movement to foster conversation among women -- on farms and in cities -- about where our food comes from. The United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) developed CommonGround to give farm women the opportunity to engage with consumers through the use of a wide range of activities. USB and NCGA provide support and a platform for the volunteers to tell their stories.

Tune in this Thursday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on AM 730 KWOA to learn more about Caldwell's experience first-hand!

The owners of a Minnesota egg farm are one step closer to winning a free Super Bowl commercial having been named finalists in a national TV contest! Locally Laid Egg Company is located in Wrenshall, Minnesota and is one of more than 15,000 small businesses nationwide vying to win a free 30-second spot in the Super Bowl on February 2.

Tune in this Thursday as ag broadcaster Sonja Langseth catches up with Jason Amundsen of Locally Laid to discuss the journey and the next steps. And of course, to encourage the Midwest to support its Minnesota-based fellow ag company! It's happening this Thursday starting at 12:30 p.m. on AM 730 KWOA! Langseth will also chat with Thomas Cleary of Inuit, discussing the origins of the contest "Small Business, Big Game."

Locally Laid co-owners Jason and Lucie Amundsen submitted a video entry featuring their charismatic chickens – all named LoLa – in Intuit’s “Small Business Big Game” contest, sponsored by QuickBooks. They were notified recently their company is one of four finalists.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says the Amundsen family is one example of the thousands of Minnesota farm families working hard to grow quality crops, livestock and poultry.

“Minnesota’s agriculture sector is successful because we support all sizes and types of farms,” said Frederickson. “It’s great the Amundsens are getting the chance to show that small family farms can do big things and that their chickens are being featured on the national stage.”

Jason Amundsen is celebrating his advancement to the competition’s final round by reflecting on how his family and company have made it this far.

“I’m proud to be able to show how a small business can start with a desire to change the world through sustainable agriculture and the support of my community and state,” said Amundsen.

The Amundsens have a truly remarkable story - if you want to hear it, be sure to tune in this Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. on AM 730 KWOA, or read more about them at the official Locally Laid Egg Company website!

The winner of Intuit’s “Small Business Big Game” contest will be chosen by a nationwide online vote going on now through December 1.

We celebrated National Farm to School during the entire month of October, and now it's time for a recap! Tune in this Thursday as broadcaster Sonja Langseth talks with Chelsey Simpson, Communications Associate with the National Farm to School Network, re-highlighting the organization's missions and goals.

Farm to school is the practice of sourcing local food for schools or preschools and providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, such as school gardens, farm field trips and cooking lessons. Farm to school improves the health of children and communities while supporting local and regional farmers. Since each Farm to School program is shaped by its unique community and region, the National Farm to School Network does not prescribe or impose a list of practices or products for the farm to school approach. The National Farm to School Network supports the work of local farm to school programs all over the country by providing free training and technical assistance, information services, networking, and support for policy, media and marketing activities.

Deer hunters in Minnesota -- get ready! Minnesota Deer Season Opener for 2013 is right around the corner, slated for an early start on Saturday, November 9th.

Tune in this Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 as ag broadcaster Sonja Langseth talks with Leslie McInely, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's big game program leader. Together, they'll highlight the past few years of deer hunting and revisit hunting and safety regulations.

Just when you thought Farmers' Markets were easy places to go and shop, as it turns out, there's a lot more to Farmer's Markets than meets the eye.

Tune in this Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. as Sonja Langseth catches up with Minnesota Farmers Market Association Program and Outreach Director Jesse Davis, breaking down what MFMA is all about and highlighting the annual fall conference coming up Thursday, November 7th.